Dirk Bannion, Author
@author-dirkbannion.bsky.social
https://dirkbannionbooks.com/
I'm an indie author writing from western North Carolina, where the veil is thin.
Currently reporting on a series of mysterious disappearances on the shores of Cape Cod, and the hellish abomination that may be responsible.
I'm an indie author writing from western North Carolina, where the veil is thin.
Currently reporting on a series of mysterious disappearances on the shores of Cape Cod, and the hellish abomination that may be responsible.
So glad to see that, despite the chaos, art and the written word remain a strong priority on #bluesky. We're doing a good job, folks. Don't stop.
April 4, 2025 at 1:30 AM
So glad to see that, despite the chaos, art and the written word remain a strong priority on #bluesky. We're doing a good job, folks. Don't stop.
It's been a long time since I've managed to be productive in adding net new words to my novel. And it bothers me that that's the case, but I know I'm not alone. How do you deal with dry spells?
April 2, 2025 at 11:33 PM
It's been a long time since I've managed to be productive in adding net new words to my novel. And it bothers me that that's the case, but I know I'm not alone. How do you deal with dry spells?
My favorite is anything involving bodies of water. Killer shark? Check. Haunted lake? Right on. Hikers boiled in a hot spring? I'm there.
I think I rely too heavily on the "maybe it's ghosts, or maybe he's just insane" trope. Just make up your mind! 😜
#horrorwriterschat
I think I rely too heavily on the "maybe it's ghosts, or maybe he's just insane" trope. Just make up your mind! 😜
#horrorwriterschat
#HorrorWritersChat question 2:
What's your favourite horror trope to write? The one you rely on the most?
Quote post, and don't forget to include the hashtag!
What's your favourite horror trope to write? The one you rely on the most?
Quote post, and don't forget to include the hashtag!
March 13, 2025 at 3:29 AM
My favorite is anything involving bodies of water. Killer shark? Check. Haunted lake? Right on. Hikers boiled in a hot spring? I'm there.
I think I rely too heavily on the "maybe it's ghosts, or maybe he's just insane" trope. Just make up your mind! 😜
#horrorwriterschat
I think I rely too heavily on the "maybe it's ghosts, or maybe he's just insane" trope. Just make up your mind! 😜
#horrorwriterschat
Huge thanks to @taggartrehnnauthor.bsky.social . Please follow all these great folks (including me, why not? 😄) and Taggart while you're at it.
#WritingCommunity How about following these creatives?
@matthewstott.bsky.social
@angelwriter.bsky.social
@barebonesbooks.bsky.social
@dwarven-king-sh.bsky.social
@frazerlee.bsky.social
@themollymelancholy.bsky.social
@author-dirkbannion.bsky.social
@brandedgreg.bsky.social
@jonbassoff.bsky.social
@matthewstott.bsky.social
@angelwriter.bsky.social
@barebonesbooks.bsky.social
@dwarven-king-sh.bsky.social
@frazerlee.bsky.social
@themollymelancholy.bsky.social
@author-dirkbannion.bsky.social
@brandedgreg.bsky.social
@jonbassoff.bsky.social
a large crowd of people are gathered in front of a building that says indycar on it
ALT: a large crowd of people are gathered in front of a building that says indycar on it
media.tenor.com
March 10, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Huge thanks to @taggartrehnnauthor.bsky.social . Please follow all these great folks (including me, why not? 😄) and Taggart while you're at it.
I'm consistently inconsistent, and I know I need to change. So help me out:
What's your writing routine? Do you have one? Does it make a difference?
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
What's your writing routine? Do you have one? Does it make a difference?
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
March 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
I'm consistently inconsistent, and I know I need to change. So help me out:
What's your writing routine? Do you have one? Does it make a difference?
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
What's your writing routine? Do you have one? Does it make a difference?
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
“She rose until he could see her slender neck and narrow shoulders. The same yellow sweater she’d been wearing that night more than a month ago.
‘Hello, dear,’ the man said, voice quavering and quiet. ‘I�€™ve missed you.’”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorFiction" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorFiction #HorrorNovel #WritingCommunity
March 2, 2025 at 10:06 PM
“She rose until he could see her slender neck and narrow shoulders. The same yellow sweater she’d been wearing that night more than a month ago.
‘Hello, dear,’ the man said, voice quavering and quiet. ‘I�€™ve missed you.’”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorFiction" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorFiction #HorrorNovel #WritingCommunity
Here's a new/old flash fiction piece. I actually wrote it two years ago and unearthed it while hunting through my eternal Google Drive. I was pleasantly surprised. Check it out.
#Authors
#Writing
#WritingCommunity
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
#Indie
#SelfPub
#TradPub
#AmDrafting
#AmEditing
#Authors
#Writing
#WritingCommunity
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
#Indie
#SelfPub
#TradPub
#AmDrafting
#AmEditing
March 1, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Here's a new/old flash fiction piece. I actually wrote it two years ago and unearthed it while hunting through my eternal Google Drive. I was pleasantly surprised. Check it out.
#Authors
#Writing
#WritingCommunity
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
#Indie
#SelfPub
#TradPub
#AmDrafting
#AmEditing
#Authors
#Writing
#WritingCommunity
#WriteLife
#WriterLife
#Indie
#SelfPub
#TradPub
#AmDrafting
#AmEditing
“The light froze, and the meat spoke. ‘This is three-zero-nine. I need an ambulance to Rockford Beach—possible drowning.’
The creature had heard similar sounds before, just before feeding, but usually they were inarticulate screams.”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorWriters" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorWriters #HorrorNovel
The creature had heard similar sounds before, just before feeding, but usually they were inarticulate screams.”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorWriters" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorWriters #HorrorNovel
March 1, 2025 at 7:06 PM
“The light froze, and the meat spoke. ‘This is three-zero-nine. I need an ambulance to Rockford Beach—possible drowning.’
The creature had heard similar sounds before, just before feeding, but usually they were inarticulate screams.”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorWriters" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorWriters #HorrorNovel
The creature had heard similar sounds before, just before feeding, but usually they were inarticulate screams.”
buff.ly/4jWNwGy
<a href="/hashtag/HorrorWriters" class="hover:underline text-blue-600 dark:text-sky-400 no-card-link">#HorrorWriters #HorrorNovel
As a civilization, we've somehow all agreed that Bonnie Tyler's performance in Total Eclipse of the Heart isn't the result of a serious break with reality, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
February 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
As a civilization, we've somehow all agreed that Bonnie Tyler's performance in Total Eclipse of the Heart isn't the result of a serious break with reality, and I'm not sure how I feel about that.
“Sal took a few steps toward the girl. He bent at the waist and asked the girl if she was okay.
Then he cried out. His body crumpled and tumbled into the girl and over the side of the pier with her, and into the water.”
Wanna beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorFiction #HorrorStory #BetaReaders
Then he cried out. His body crumpled and tumbled into the girl and over the side of the pier with her, and into the water.”
Wanna beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorFiction #HorrorStory #BetaReaders
February 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“Sal took a few steps toward the girl. He bent at the waist and asked the girl if she was okay.
Then he cried out. His body crumpled and tumbled into the girl and over the side of the pier with her, and into the water.”
Wanna beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorFiction #HorrorStory #BetaReaders
Then he cried out. His body crumpled and tumbled into the girl and over the side of the pier with her, and into the water.”
Wanna beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorFiction #HorrorStory #BetaReaders
“Julio’s boot connected with one of the eyes, which sunk deep. The thing shuddered and froze, then doubled its efforts. Keeping half its legs beneath it, anchoring it to the sand, it whipped another tentacle around Julio’s throat.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #WritingCommunity
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #WritingCommunity
February 27, 2025 at 4:12 AM
“Julio’s boot connected with one of the eyes, which sunk deep. The thing shuddered and froze, then doubled its efforts. Keeping half its legs beneath it, anchoring it to the sand, it whipped another tentacle around Julio’s throat.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #WritingCommunity
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #WritingCommunity
❓ Hey authors! A question:
Step back from your current WIP (or don't, I'm not your mom) and show me the silliest, most comedic snippet you've written. Google Doc links might be best.
I'll start:
Step back from your current WIP (or don't, I'm not your mom) and show me the silliest, most comedic snippet you've written. Google Doc links might be best.
I'll start:
February 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
❓ Hey authors! A question:
Step back from your current WIP (or don't, I'm not your mom) and show me the silliest, most comedic snippet you've written. Google Doc links might be best.
I'll start:
Step back from your current WIP (or don't, I'm not your mom) and show me the silliest, most comedic snippet you've written. Google Doc links might be best.
I'll start:
“The man was no longer there. Instead, a pale, pulsing mass of flesh lurched toward him, with skin that seemed perpetually out of focus--a bulbous mound on a roiling pile of snakelike legs and two huge, alien eyes.
In an instant, it was upon him.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
In an instant, it was upon him.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
February 25, 2025 at 1:06 AM
“The man was no longer there. Instead, a pale, pulsing mass of flesh lurched toward him, with skin that seemed perpetually out of focus--a bulbous mound on a roiling pile of snakelike legs and two huge, alien eyes.
In an instant, it was upon him.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
In an instant, it was upon him.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
“The man knelt in the surf, unmoving.
‘Sir? The beach is closed.’ Julio said. ‘I’m going to need you to vacate the premises, sir.’
The man didn’t say anything, or even turn to acknowledge he’d heard. And he didn’t move.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks
‘Sir? The beach is closed.’ Julio said. ‘I’m going to need you to vacate the premises, sir.’
The man didn’t say anything, or even turn to acknowledge he’d heard. And he didn’t move.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks
February 24, 2025 at 1:06 AM
“The man knelt in the surf, unmoving.
‘Sir? The beach is closed.’ Julio said. ‘I’m going to need you to vacate the premises, sir.’
The man didn’t say anything, or even turn to acknowledge he’d heard. And he didn’t move.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks
‘Sir? The beach is closed.’ Julio said. ‘I’m going to need you to vacate the premises, sir.’
The man didn’t say anything, or even turn to acknowledge he’d heard. And he didn’t move.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks
I just noticed how many times my short stories include "An elderly man in a porkpie hat". I'm running through a bunch of them and I've decided it should be a drinking game. What a weird thing to turn into an idiosyncrasy. I've never even seen an elderly man in a porkpie hat, far as I can remember.
February 23, 2025 at 4:37 PM
I just noticed how many times my short stories include "An elderly man in a porkpie hat". I'm running through a bunch of them and I've decided it should be a drinking game. What a weird thing to turn into an idiosyncrasy. I've never even seen an elderly man in a porkpie hat, far as I can remember.
“It didn’t fully grasp the concept of tides, but the creature instinctively tended toward shore when the tide was ebbing and the surf was calmest. It didn’t relish dry land… but that's where warm meat was most plentiful.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorCommunity #BetaReaders #AmWriting
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorCommunity #BetaReaders #AmWriting
February 21, 2025 at 2:38 PM
“It didn’t fully grasp the concept of tides, but the creature instinctively tended toward shore when the tide was ebbing and the surf was calmest. It didn’t relish dry land… but that's where warm meat was most plentiful.”
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorCommunity #BetaReaders #AmWriting
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorCommunity #BetaReaders #AmWriting
“He saw Alice standing in the tide with her back to him, her pink swimsuit bright against the deep blue-green of the waves. She was pointing out over the water and shaking her head.
‘Where’s Dani?’ Cheri called.
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #HorrorBooks #BetaReading
‘Where’s Dani?’ Cheri called.
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #HorrorBooks #BetaReading
February 20, 2025 at 9:26 PM
“He saw Alice standing in the tide with her back to him, her pink swimsuit bright against the deep blue-green of the waves. She was pointing out over the water and shaking her head.
‘Where’s Dani?’ Cheri called.
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #HorrorBooks #BetaReading
‘Where’s Dani?’ Cheri called.
Beta? https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorStory #HorrorBooks #BetaReading
He reached out and touched her shoulder, and the woman’s pale flesh clouded with the color of a deep bruise. The shoulder lost its shape and squirmed out of his grip... He cried out before it yanked him into the water.”
https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks #HorrorCommunity #BetaReadersWanted
https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks #HorrorCommunity #BetaReadersWanted
February 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
He reached out and touched her shoulder, and the woman’s pale flesh clouded with the color of a deep bruise. The shoulder lost its shape and squirmed out of his grip... He cried out before it yanked him into the water.”
https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks #HorrorCommunity #BetaReadersWanted
https://buff.ly/4jWNwGy
#HorrorBooks #HorrorCommunity #BetaReadersWanted
The sheer volume of AI bots and insanely pushy "pay me to hype your book" folks blowing up my DMs is just really annoying, and kind of sad. I like being here, but not for that.
February 19, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The sheer volume of AI bots and insanely pushy "pay me to hype your book" folks blowing up my DMs is just really annoying, and kind of sad. I like being here, but not for that.
“He knew a body could be in a horrible condition after just a few hours in the water, but her flesh hadn’t paled or bloated; she didn’t look like she’d drowned. Still, something about the body looked wrong to him. The limbs were too... soft.”
https://buff.ly/3CKI8pv
#HorrorNovel #AmWriting
https://buff.ly/3CKI8pv
#HorrorNovel #AmWriting
February 18, 2025 at 11:37 PM
“He knew a body could be in a horrible condition after just a few hours in the water, but her flesh hadn’t paled or bloated; she didn’t look like she’d drowned. Still, something about the body looked wrong to him. The limbs were too... soft.”
https://buff.ly/3CKI8pv
#HorrorNovel #AmWriting
https://buff.ly/3CKI8pv
#HorrorNovel #AmWriting
A story of royal revenge. This is a #flashfiction story you can digest in four minutes. Enjoy!
Wolf’s Paw and Pond Thistle dirkbannionbooks.com/wolfs-paw-an...
Wolf’s Paw and Pond Thistle dirkbannionbooks.com/wolfs-paw-an...
Wolf's Paw and Pond Thistle - Dirk Bannion
I HANDED QUEEN CYNDRA her goblet and stepped back, my eyes demurely downcast. She didn’t spare me a glance and never had. As assistant to the apprentice cupbearer, I was invisible in a royal court...
dirkbannionbooks.com
December 23, 2024 at 1:15 PM
A story of royal revenge. This is a #flashfiction story you can digest in four minutes. Enjoy!
Wolf’s Paw and Pond Thistle dirkbannionbooks.com/wolfs-paw-an...
Wolf’s Paw and Pond Thistle dirkbannionbooks.com/wolfs-paw-an...
Something a little different for the Christmas season. Pass it along #blueskyauthors. #authors #readers #comedy #historicalfiction #biblical #Jewish
Oily Josh and the Greasy Bois Find Religion dirkbannionbooks.com/oily-josh-an...
Oily Josh and the Greasy Bois Find Religion dirkbannionbooks.com/oily-josh-an...
Oily Josh and the Greasy Bois Find Religion - Dirk Bannion
“YO, OILY JOSH!” “Sup?” “This dude says he needs his hand fixed. He’s, like, a carpenter or sumthin.” “Yeah? I did some carpenterin’ in my day. Send him in.” A young man in a dirty robe hobble...
dirkbannionbooks.com
December 21, 2024 at 4:40 AM
Something a little different for the Christmas season. Pass it along #blueskyauthors. #authors #readers #comedy #historicalfiction #biblical #Jewish
Oily Josh and the Greasy Bois Find Religion dirkbannionbooks.com/oily-josh-an...
Oily Josh and the Greasy Bois Find Religion dirkbannionbooks.com/oily-josh-an...
December 17, 2024 at 11:01 PM
This #flashfiction piece gives me Twilight Zone vibes.
Me, My Wax Figure, and the End of the World dirkbannionbooks.com/me-my-wax-fi...
Me, My Wax Figure, and the End of the World dirkbannionbooks.com/me-my-wax-fi...
Me, My Wax Figure, and the End of the World - Dirk Bannion
(knock knock) It was maddening. And, at the same time, oddly comforting. (knock knock) Every 25 seconds like clockwork, she rapped softly on the trap door above me. Never louder or quieter, ...
dirkbannionbooks.com
December 14, 2024 at 2:51 AM
This #flashfiction piece gives me Twilight Zone vibes.
Me, My Wax Figure, and the End of the World dirkbannionbooks.com/me-my-wax-fi...
Me, My Wax Figure, and the End of the World dirkbannionbooks.com/me-my-wax-fi...
Here's Chapter 2 of my WIP. I'd love your opinions #booksky 😱
New Excerpt from Mimic (working title only) dirkbannionbooks.com/new-excerpt-...
New Excerpt from Mimic (working title only) dirkbannionbooks.com/new-excerpt-...
New Excerpt from Mimic (working title only) - Dirk Bannion
If you enjoyed the opening chapter of my upcoming horror novel, maybe you’d like to continue the adventure. Here’s the next chapter: Chapter 2 Sully Rockwell heaved his considerable bulk out of his si...
dirkbannionbooks.com
December 13, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Here's Chapter 2 of my WIP. I'd love your opinions #booksky 😱
New Excerpt from Mimic (working title only) dirkbannionbooks.com/new-excerpt-...
New Excerpt from Mimic (working title only) dirkbannionbooks.com/new-excerpt-...